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Sunday School Lesson
The carnal (Romans 8:7) human mind has the ability to take any accurate, divinely-directed thought, and twist it into some inaccurate, ugly, distorted figure and call it new revelation. The church was brought into being on that momentous day of Pentecost following the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Acts 1, 2. Some of those who claimed to be followers of the son of God developed a new revelation that could not accept the human-divine nature of the promised one. Thus, these philosophers decided that Jesus was something in between - a kind of souped-up angel. This error had begun to seep into the thinking of some of believers. The writer to the Hebrews addressed this topic in a direct way. The writer - under inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21; 3:15, 16) - declared, "God … Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his son…" Hebrews 1:1, 2. This fact cut the chase for this teaching of error. Yes, the writer knew of the means that God had used in the past, as he revealed his will to his people. He knew of the "…sundry times and divers manners [He] spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets." Hebrews 1:1. Yet, the message for the church came through the son. The writer wanted the readers to understand the source of the authority of the son. God had "appointed [him to be] heir of all things…" Hebrews 1:2b. This one of whom the writer spoke was he "by whom also he made the worlds." Hebrews 1:2c. These readers were familiar with the account of the creation. Genesis 1:1-2:9. The writer - it could have been the Apostle Paul - gave a description of the son, who had spoken. He wrote, "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power…" Hebrews 1:3a, b. Thus, this ancient writer associated Jesus Christ with the nature of God, and his work in the act of creation of the universe. The divine, eternal work of the son is shown in the fact that he is responsible for completing the eternal plan of salvation of the human race - "when he had by himself purged our sins…" Hebrews 1:3c. At that moment - and until the present - he "sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high…" Hebrews 1:3d. Thus, having identified the one whom God had sent, the writer assured the believers that the identity of Jesus Christ remained constant - "Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." Hebrews 1:4. It is, sometimes, necessary for the teacher to ask leading questions, if the students are to grasp the point that needs to be realized. The writer of old used this means to get the attention of the readers. Since the readers were familiar with the Old Testament writings, these words from the past became the means by which corrected thinking could be developed. He asked, "For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee." Hebrews 1:5a; Psalm 2:7. He pointed these readers to another divine declaration - "And again, I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son?" Hebrews 1:5b; 2 Samuel 7:14. The writer of the past continued to present questions that showed the divine nature of the son of God. "And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him." Hebrews 1:6. The angel concept is addressed in a direct manner. "And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire." Hebrews 1:7; Psalm 104:4. The point of this ancient writing is to re-focus the thinking of the readers. It was - and is - important for the son of God to remain the only reference point in the life of any believer in Jesus Christ of Nazareth. "But unto the son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." Hebrews 1:8, 9; Psalm 45:6, 7; Isaiah 61:1. This ancient writer addressed the eternal nature of the son of God. "And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish but thou remainest; they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail." Hebrews 1:10-12; Psalm 102:25-27. The purpose and work of the angels is seen in contrast to the constancy of the son. "But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Hebrews 1:13. The writer of old explained the angelic position by referring to a passage from the Psalms. "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Hebrews 1:14; Psalm 103:20. As he continued his teaching, this ancient writer gave a warning. "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." Hebrews 2:1. He desired his readers - and us - to keep the proper focus. He asked, "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him…" Hebrews 2:3.
We must be faithful in declaring the unchanging, revealed word of God. Malachi 3:6.
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